My Christmas gift to you all. Enjoy!

-Faithy Waithy


"Ha! Beat you!"

Prince Zuko huffed and threw his cards down on the low table between us. "You have to be cheating! There's no way you're this good at Diàoyú!"

I grinned and picked up the cards to shuffle them again. "What's wrong Zuko? Not used to losing to a girl?"

Zuko crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at me. "You've won three games straight! I thought this game was about luck?!"

Placing the deck in the center of the table, I joked, "Looks like your just unlucky."

"Oh really?" Zuko leaned forward. "How's about we play Pai Sho instead? Then we'll see who the lucky one is."

I cringed. "You just want to play that because you know I'll lose."

"I'm unlucky, so won't you win?"

I went to retort, but before I could a knock sounded on the door. We were currently in the small meeting room down the hall from our cabin, trying to ease our boredom and avoid Iroh. He'd been questioning us furiously over the last week, noting that we'd been talking more and more to one another. He wanted to know what had changed, and Zuko and I didn't really have an answer.

"Come in," Zuko ordered.

A second later one of the guards stepped in giving a polite bow to Zuko. "Sir. Your uncle wanted me to inform you that we will be stopping at an Earth Kingdom port to resupply. He wanted to know if you and the girl desired to accompany him."

My eyes shined with delight. Looking over at Zuko with pleading eyes, I saw him shoot his gaze toward me for a moment. Then he looked over at the man again. "Inform my uncle that we will join him."

The guard bowed once more and left. When he was gone, I grinned at Zuko from ear to ear. "Did you hear that Zuko?! An Earth Kingdom port! Will there be trees? Will there be grass?! I'm so excited!"

"Whoa! Simmer down! You're going to pierce my eardrums," Zuko muttered. "You'll find out when we get there." He stood to leave. "I'm going to speak to the helmsman. I want to make sure were not getting too off course. Don't fall off the ship while I'm gone."

I saluted him as he started to turn. "Yes sir!"

He rolled his eyes. "Will you stop doing that?"

I smiled, satisfied. "One day."

Zuko sighed heavily, and then left the room. However, just as he stepped out I caught the smallest smile. It seemed I was getting a lot of smiles from the young prince lately.

A few hours later the ship anchored at the dock of a huge fisherman port. Iroh and Zuko headed down the ramp, and I followed excitedly behind staring at the new setting. The area was made entirely out of wooden buildings, and there were men and women dressed in all kinds of colors. In the distance I could make out a vast forest with towering trees of green, gold, red, and brown. The grass was sporadic throughout the port, and I saw strange animals scuttle around all over the place. As we headed deeper into the market area of the port, I noted the numerous stalls that were selling merchandise from all corners of the world.

"Wow! This is so cool!" I grabbed onto Zuko's sleeve pointing at a stall with cool shell wind chimes. "Look at all the colors!"

Iroh laughed at my enthusiasm, while Zuko rolled his eyes and kept walking.

"It's good to see such a young spirit from you, Crystal. You make this old man feel ten years younger." Iroh took out some coins from inside his sleeve and handed them to Zuko. "I need to go monitor the supplies. Why don't you go find Crystal a new dress? Hers is starting to get a little worn. I'll meet you all back at the ship for dinner around sunset."

Zuko scowled. "I didn't come out here to go shopping!"

Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then why did you come out here nephew?"

The prince fell speechless, and I smiled knowing the answer. Iroh's eyes twinkled as he knew as well.

"You kids behave," Iroh said. He then turned and headed away from us. "Don't get lost!"

"Who's he calling a kid?"

I giggled at Zuko's pouting face. "Don't take it personal. You know Iroh's just teasing you."

"He didn't used to."

"I guess your letting your guard down too much."

The prince glowered at me. I just smiled and pointed up at the sky. "Come on! Time's a wasting!"

Eventually Zuko cheered up, and somehow we found ourselves in a seamstress shop. The owner of the shop was a kind woman who grew up in a Fire Nation colony a few miles from the village. She recognized Zuko immediately and bowed with respect. I was surprised to see some members from the Fire Nation were still loyal to the banished prince.

Zuko quickly told her that we were looking for a new dress. She looked at the one I wore, saying we were definitely in desperate need. I tried to insist on a shirt and pants, but the woman shook her head in disapproval. "No beauty like you should be in such attire! A dress is the only option."

The thirty year old woman, with short jet black hair and piercing brown eyes, grabbed my arm quickly and pulled me deeper into her shop. She mainly had red and black colored clothing. She forced me to try on a number of them, and I obediently did so. When she finally came to the conclusion I looked better in red based on my skin tone, I was relieved that the pile I had to try on decreased by twenty dresses. After what felt like the thirtieth one, the woman exclaimed, "Perfect! This is the one!" She quickly shortened the hem since the dress was for someone much taller, and managed to tighten the waist. When she was done, she grabbed my shoulders from behind and pushed me toward a large standing mirror.

"There! Now you look like a radiant fire lily!"

Staring at my reflection, I was speechless as I took in my appearance. I hadn't seen my reflection since I was taken from the Southern Water Tribe. The girl in the mirror wasn't me. At least she wasn't the me I knew. First, I was paler than I used to be. Second, I'd lost probably fifteen pounds. Third, my hair was longer with more waves than I thought possible. Finally, the dress made me look older than I really was.

Strangely, my reflection made me wonder what Sokka would think if he saw me. He'd probably drop his jaw and try to throw a blanket over me. He'd tell me he didn't have time to fight off boys, and order me to cover up. My older brother would've been overprotective and completely against my new attire.

My heart ached… Sokka… I missed him… I prayed he and Katara were still okay… wherever they happened to be…

"Are you alright?"

The woman's voice suddenly broke through my reverie. I jumped and looked away flustered. "Yeah… Sorry. I just got lost in my thoughts."

"Well what do you think about the dress? Do you like it?"

Staring at the mirror again, I saw my reflection copy me as I brushed my hand over the light satin material. The dress was maroon tinted with one sleeve that just covered my left shoulder. My other shoulder and arm were bare. The part of my scar at my right collar bone was barely covered, so you could basically see the whole scar exposed. There were gold patterns on the dress that lined the top and followed the shoulder strap around the dress. More gold lace flowed around the dress in all directions creating a pattern of vines and flowers. Finally there was gold decorating the bottom. The dress was beautiful, elaborate, and above all completely foreign.

"It's beautiful," I said softly. "Are you sure it suits me though?"

The woman stepped in front of me and pulled my long hair forward to let it fall over my shoulders. "Why don't we get your companion's opinion?"

She grabbed my arm encouragingly and pulled me back to the front of her shop. When we got through the doorway, I was surprised to see Zuko still waiting patiently by the wall where I'd left him.

"What do you think?! Is she not the prettiest girl you ever laid eyes on?!"

Zuko looked up at the woman's question, and I saw his eyes widen when he saw my appearance. The dress was much different than my last. This one hugged my curves more than the other, and it showed much more skin. As Zuko stared at me speechless, I knew why he was mesmerized. I didn't look like a little girl in this dress. The thought made me blush bright red and cross my arms over my chest self-consciously.

"Um… Yeah… It looks good on her… I guess…" Zuko looked away from me, and I looked over at him seeing he too was as flustered as me.

The shopkeeper seemed pleased. "Excellent! And because it fits her so well I'll offer you a wonderful discount!"

Zuko paid for the dress, his gaze avoiding me as much as he could. When we left the shop at last, I kept my head down trying to hide my flushed cheeks. I'd never revealed this much skin before in public. At the village I always wore layers of clothing, and my old dress covered everything but my hands and above my shoulders. This dress exposed much more than any other article of clothing I'd wore.

As we headed back toward the ship, I felt like the silence was stretching on for way too long. "That shopkeeper was way too persistent. My sister would've loved that dress up ten times more than I did. Maybe I'm not as girly as I thought…"

Zuko was startled by my sudden conversation. He cleared his throat to find his voice. "Well… You dress up good…"

Looking at the setting sun as we walked back through the market, I wondered how many more evenings I would share with Zuko. No matter how much I was starting to enjoy his company, I really needed to get back to my family. I needed to escape when I had the chance.

"It's definitely different than my water tribe clothing."

"Yeah… It suits you though." He kicked at a rock too embarrassed to look my way.

"Thanks… Sorry you had to wait so long earlier. I'm sure you were bored."

He shrugged. "I don't mind. Anything's better than being stuck on the ship with the crew."

My ears perked up at his statement. He enjoyed my company… He didn't mind tagging along with me… He was starting to see me as his friend.

Deep in my heart, I was beginning to feel the same way.

But you can't be friends with him! He's Fire Nation! He's the enemy! He imprisoned you! He's after your family and Aang!

My thoughts were loud, but I tried to push them away. Zuko wasn't as bad as I thought. Maybe I could change him… Maybe I could help him realize the path he was on would destroy the world… Maybe me being with Zuko wasn't a problem...? My friendship to him could be a solution…

Later that evening, Iroh met us in the hall and led us to a room near his quarters. Usually I ate dinner in the room alone, but Iroh wanted me to join Zuko and him. As we headed to dine, Iroh commented that my dress was majestic and the shopkeeper had wonderful taste. He told me that the maroon color complimented my skin tone and brought out my eyes. I thanked him with gratitude.

Sitting in the room on some cushions around a low table, Zuko asked his uncle how the gathering of supplies went. Iroh explained to him everything they had gathered, and told him we had enough in stock for three weeks before we had to dock again. Zuko seemed pleased with this, not wanting anything to slow his search from Aang and my family.

While the cook prepared our food, the three of us conversed lightly about the port we had visited. I expressed my thrill at seeing trees and grass that weren't covered in snow. I also described some of the stands I saw, and how much I admired the different cultures mixed within one port. Zuko even spoke up, saying he was surprised that the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom citizens weren't tearing one another's throats out. Iroh explained to Zuko that a lot of ports and fisher villages in the Earth Kingdom were diverse and pretty civil toward outsiders of all nations.

"That's very different from the Water Tribe," I commented. "My brother banished the Avatar when he first showed up because he was a foreigner."

Zuko was astonished by this. "Your brother had that authority?"

I nodded. "Yeah… My father left him somewhat in charge. Of course my grandma has the overall authority, but no one ever really argues with Sokka so she never has to step in."

"Oh yeah… You did say your dad was chief over the tribe," Zuko remembered. "Why wasn't he there when I showed up?"

Iroh looked curious as well.

Sighing heavily, I looked down at the table feeling mixed emotions toward my father. "The warriors left our people a few years ago to go fight in the Earth Kingdom. They left claiming their mission would protect us. It's only left us vulnerable though. My father, Chief Hakoda, was the one to order their departure. I haven't seen them since they took off on their boats. We've been on our own for a while. That's why when you showed up there were no men apart from our elders… The men basically abandoned us."

Both Iroh and Zuko seemed sorry for me. "That must be hard for your people then," Iroh began. "You were left completely defenseless."

I shrugged. "We get by… The Fire Nation usually leaves us alone. The last time we were invaded was when the Fire Nation raided our village for the last waterbender. That was six years ago…"

"And then I showed up," Zuko muttered.

"Yeah…" I said. "But at least you didn't kill anyone. I guess I owe you thanks for that."

"I'm not a killer," Zuko muttered. "That may be hard to believe though…"

"No… I believe you," I promised. "That's why I haven't jumped ship."

Iroh chuckled, and the young prince lifted the corner of his lips glad to hear me say so.

Another week passed by and went. Being on the ship, I started to lose track of time and ended up keeping a chart. After permission from Zuko, I took some of his paper and an ink pen from the chest in his room and started to tally. My time in the cell was four days from what I recalled, so I put four marks down. Then I recalled that I'd been sick with a fever for five days, so that added up to nine. The three weeks before arriving at Zhao's naval yard brought me to about thirty days. Then after the Zhao fiasco Zuko and I spent another eight days ignoring one another as much as we could: Thirty-eight. Then two weeks passed after that bringing the time to present.

Fifty-two days. I had been Zuko's prisoner for fifty-two days and there was still no sign of Aang.

Zuko meditated behind me as I placed a mark on my paper. The candles illuminating my writing increased and decreased around me as I placed the ink and quill back in their box. I would add another mark tomorrow, but until then I placed the box back in Zuko's chest where it belonged trying to be as quiet as I could. Rolling the paper back up, I secured it with the ribbon Iroh had given me and silently walked over to my cot. Sitting down, I placed the paper beside my pillow, and then pulled my knees to my chest searching for comfort.

I hadn't seen my family in fifty-two days. That was almost two months. I missed them all so terribly.

The door to our room opened a moment later, as Iroh entered unannounced. His face looked grim, and I glanced at his hand to see he was holding a scroll.

"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar," Zuko calmly said, his mind still focused on his meditation.

Iroh grimaced. "Well, there is news, Prince Zuko, but you might not like it. Don't get too upset."

My ears perked up, eager to hear what Iroh was so wary of telling my fellow companion.

"Uncle, you taught me that keeping a level head is a sign of a great leader. Now whatever you have to say, I'm sure that I can take it."

Iroh and I didn't believe him, but his uncle spoke anyway. "Okay, then... we have no idea where he is."

I smiled with satisfaction and relief.

Zuko seethed with rage. "WHAT?!" The candles on the table skyrocketed to the ceiling creating smoke in the air.

Iroh fanned himself with a fancy fan he pulled from a pocket on his robe. "You really should open a window in here."

I looked around only seeing a vent on the ceiling. It would be nice if we had a window.

"Give me the map!"

The irritated prince got to his feet and snatched the paper from Iroh unrolling it and analyzing it.

Iroh continued to fan himself. "There have been multiple sightings of the Avatar, but he is impossible to track down."

Standing from my cot, I walked over to Zuko and looked at the map while he said, "How am I gonna find him, Uncle? He is clearly a master of evasive maneuvering."

I couldn't help it. I laughed. As the noise escaped me, I realized my mistake and quickly covered my mouth. The two men in the room looked at me however curiously.

Zuko scowled. "What's so funny?"

There was no helping my situation. I just had to answer. "Evasive maneuvering…? Aang isn't trying to get away from you Zuko. He is a kid who was trapped in an iceberg for over a hundred years. He's making random stops to have fun. If you're a twelve year old kid with an uppity personality, you wouldn't really be focused on the destination as much as the journey itself."

Iroh seemed pleased with my words. "Very wisely spoken, Crystal."

"But I don't even know his destination! That's the whole problem!"

Zuko's words forced me to turn my gaze from him. If he knew I knew where Aang and my family were headed he'd try to force it out of me. I wouldn't spill. I refused to tell Zuko about Aang's plan to find a waterbending master.

"Or maybe it's not the problem anymore."

My face pulled into a grimace as Zuko read my expression so well. He shoved the map back at Iroh and crossed his arms so his tall frame was right in front of my own. His whole demeanor started to change. Zuko was turning back into the spoiled prince who wanted everything his way. Once capturing the Avatar clouded his mind, there was no way of getting through to him.

"Alright! Spill! What do you know?"

"Nothing," I lied. "I've been with you all these weeks. I don't know anything."

"That look wasn't oblivious," Zuko stated. "You know something! Tell me!"

Quickly I shut my mouth. Crossing my own arms, I tried to stand tall to let Zuko know he wasn't intimidating me. "I don't know anything, Prince Zuko. I barely got to speak to the Avatar when he was at the South Pole. How could I possibly know his destination?"

"You little liar! Tell me!"

"I'm not telling you squat, because I have no clue!"

Iroh stepped in suddenly, saying, "Everyone calm down. We were all getting along so well a few minutes ago. Let's not lose our temper and have another argument."

Zuko narrowed his eyes at me, ignoring his uncle. "I've treated you like my guest for weeks! The least you can do is tell me where the Avatar is headed!"

"I don't have to do anything for you! You're not my prince!"

His eyes widened and his teeth clenched. He didn't like that last part. "Your prince or not, I am still your captor!"

"No! You're just a bully!"

We shared a moment just glaring daggers at one another. The glare continued on for the next three hours, all the way into dinner. As we sat in the small dining room, Zuko had his fists tightly clenched on the table wanting to yell at me some more. I had my own fists tight in my lap, wanting to punch the prince to put some sense in his head. He wasn't getting anything out of me. I wouldn't betray Aang or my family to the enemy. I'd risk my life to keep them all safe.

When the cook came to bring us dinner, I dropped my gaze from the heated prince long enough to see our entrée was fish. Iroh immediately dug into his meal, sighing at the flavor and trying to block out Zuko and I's tension. The cook then whispered something in Zuko's ear, and the young prince's eyes lit up.

"The Avatar's on Kyoshi Island?" He jumped up from the table to leave. "Uncle, ready the rhinos. He's not getting away from me this time."

My eyes widened. Rhinos? This ship had rhinos?!

"Are you going to finish that?"

The Prince had already left the room, but when he heard his uncle he stormed back in grabbing his uneaten plate. "I was going to save it for later!" He turned sharply then, leaving the room. I watched him go with terror.

Aang was on Kyoshi Island? Zuko knew Aang's whereabouts… Aang and my family were in danger!

Iroh sighed heavily. "That boy doesn't know when to quit."

He went to continue his meal. As he did so I stood from the table as my heart pounded heavily in my chest. I had to stop him! I had to stop Zuko!

"Crystal… Are you alright?"

"I won't let him do this!"

Iroh sighed. "It's best not to get in his way. Once Zuko has his mind set its best to stay clear from his path."

Ignoring him, I took off down the hall to catch up to Zuko. As I went, I grabbed some water from a pitcher on my way out the door. Iroh shouted after me, but I was already racing down the hall with a trail of water following behind. Zuko was just reaching the stairs when I caught up to him.

"Zuko! Stop! You can't go after Aang! I won't let you!"

The young prince turned in surprise when he heard me speak. The hall was dimly lit by candles on the wall, so the fire reflecting off of Zuko's eyes only emphasized his sudden rage. "What do you think you're doing?!"

He turned fully toward me, his eyes on the water that hovered in front of my body. He placed his food on the stairwell behind him and then stepped toward me. He didn't look one bit pleased.

"I told you not to waterbend! Drop it! That's an order!"

I held my ground. I wasn't scared. "No! I won't let you hurt Aang!"

Zuko growled. "Crystal, drop it. I don't want to hurt you. Attacking me isn't worth it."

The water began to strain my arms, but I kept strong. "It is if it means you won't capture the Avatar!"

The young prince looked furious for my actions, but also troubled. He didn't want to hurt me. He didn't want to fight me. However, if I was getting in his way of the Avatar then he had no choice.

"Please drop the water," he said. This time he had cooled his anger enough and was almost begging me to listen. He held one of his hands out as if to gesture he wasn't going to hurt me. "I really don't want to fight you. Don't make me turn into the bad guy again. I will lock you back up in a cell if you don't do as I say."

A cell…? My arms shook at the thought, and I saw a few drops of my water crash to the floor as I lost concentration for a second. I quickly focused on the element again, not wanting to let my guard down. I didn't have a choice. I had to stop Zuko from heading to Kyoshi Island. I had to fight him. If it meant being locked in a cell again, I was willing to do whatever it took.

"I'm sorry Zuko… No matter how much we think we're friends, I guess we both want very different things." I hung my head. "This waterbender is going to fight for what she believes in, even if it means attacking you."

Zuko must've realized I wasn't backing down. He frowned heavily and got into a stance ready to block my attack. "So much for finally being able to get along," he muttered.

I widened my stance and pulled the water back ready to fight. "We could get along just fine if you would leave Aang alone… but I see that option is impossible for you."

"Your right… Nothing will stand in my way. Not even a weak waterbender like you!"

I scowled at his insult. With fury I threw my water straight at him in the narrow hallway. He stealthily jumped and spun in the air right over my element, completely avoiding it. The water hit the stairwell hard. While this occurred, Zuko rushed toward me to grab and restrain me. As he approached, I gathered up the water from behind him and thrust it back toward me. The water knocked into Zuko's legs and forced him off his feet. He fell on his back and slid down the hall a few feet.

As he lied there stunned, I knew I had to get up on deck so I could have more water to bend. Racing down the hall, I jumped around Zuko who was quickly trying to get to his feet. Racing toward the stairs, I stumbled up them and shoved open the door that led out on deck.

"CRYSTAL!"

Zuko's outraged cry could be heard from behind me. The crew within earshot turned toward me with surprise. I ignored them and took off toward the rail. Reaching the edge of the ship, I saw the water below and quickly pulled some up with all my might. The stream of water flowed up at my command and I swirled it above me ready to attack.

Prince Zuko raced up on deck, his pants soaked from my attack. His fists were steaming as he came toward me with fire in his eyes. "You just lost your chance! I was going to overlook everything, but not anymore!"

The fire shot towards me as soon as his hand lunged in front of him. I gasped and slammed my water down on the flame dousing it. Then I picked up more water and whipped it toward the enraged teen. He ducked and rushed forward punching his fists in my direction to shoot a volley of fire toward me. I picked up more water to create an ice wall for protection. The fire hit the wall, causing steam to rise up in the air. As he continued to shoot fire at my ice wall, I saw the barrier was beginning to crack. Thrusting my other hand forward, I took pieces of the wall and shot them toward the prince like they were ten daggers. He threw fire at the parade of ice-missiles melting each one.

"You fight pretty good waterbender," Zuko hissed.

He was back to calling me that name. I was back to just being his prisoner. I knew it would happen, but I wasn't expecting it so soon.

"Prince Zuko! Crystal! Stop this right now!" Iroh had emerged on deck, and from the corner of my eyes I saw he wasn't pleased. "There is no need for violence!"

The sun was starting to set, and as it did so I felt my strength grow. "I won't let anyone capture Aang! I won't let the world's last hope fall into the Fire Lord's hands! I'll fight until I can't stand!"

I lifted more water from the sea far below and brought it above my head. Flinging it like a crashing wave, it traveled straight toward Zuko who jumped toward it. The prince used a jet of fire from his bare feet to shoot his body over the wave straight toward me. As he landed only a few feet in front of me, I tried to hit him again with water but he lunged forward grabbing my wrist. As he restrained my movement, the water midair fell in a splash between us. Using my other hand, I tried to freeze his feet to the deck, but he wasn't having it. His foot hooked with my ankle, and I gasped as my leg was pulled out from under me. I fell back on the deck hard, my body vibrating in pain. The next thing I knew a heavy body was on top of me, and both my hands were being pinned above my head.

"Looks like you can't stand anymore," Zuko hissed. He pressed my hands harder to the deck and his knees pressed against my thighs so I couldn't move my legs. "You're a foolish girl! Did you really think you could beat me just like that?" His face inched toward me, and we both bore holes into each other's gaze. His breathing was even and controlled, while mine was hard and strained. I struggled against him, but that only made him tighten his restraint on me. "I've had years of training! I started firebending at the age of seven with some of the finest teachers in the world! You're just a poor waterbender from the South Pole who taught yourself how to fight!" His face was inches from my own. "You really thought someone with your amateur skills could beat a trained prince like me? You're stupid for even trying!"

My eyes burned but I refused to cry in front of Zuko. I didn't want him to see his words had hurt me. My muscles ached and protested as I continued to struggle against Zuko. I tried to rip my hands from his grasp, but he was too strong. "Get off of me!"

He growled. "Why? So you can attack me again?" He shouted out to no one in particular, "Bring me some restraints!"

No one on deck moved at his orders. They were all probably concerned about me.

Zuko was infuriated by the lack of response. "Get me shackles! That's an order!" His hands tightened on my wrists to the point where he made my bones ache. I hissed and tried to swing my head forward to sock him in the chin. He moved his head in the nick of time, startled by my sudden attack.

His hot breath was suddenly on my face. "You couldn't just be happy with how things were?"

I tried to rip from his hold again. "Not when the Avatar needs me!"

A few more minutes of struggling passed, and I saw Zuko was trying all he could to not seriously hurt me. When the shackles were finally brought out, Zuko had them restrain my feet first. The cold metal clamped around my ankles locking them together. When my feet were secured, Zuko had one of the crewmen take one of my hands while he kept hold on the other. They forced me roughly on my stomach, and I cringed when my face touched the cold metal.

"Prince Zuko! Don't you think this is a little cruel on the girl," Jee asked from somewhere in the background. The iron of the restraints was clamped around one wrist and my arm was painfully pulled toward my other hand.

Zuko snapped at the lieutenant, "This prisoner attacked me! This is exactly what she deserves!" He pulled my arm harder, and I gasped in pain as my shoulder became strained to the point of dislocating. "Let's finish this!" He clamped the other iron around my last free wrist, and then released me. The iron on my ankles and wrists dug painfully into my skin as I tried to struggle out of them.

The body on top of me finally left, and my struggles ceased. The way my hands were restrained behind me was painful and uncomfortable. I knew I was getting the punishment I deserved, but I didn't expect Zuko to treat me so terribly after everything we'd been through together.

"Prince Zuko! You've done enough to her!"

Zuko growled. "Stay out of this Uncle! She knew what she was doing the moment she started bending. I made a clear order that she wasn't to waterbend or fight me. She did both, so she must be punished!" He stepped away from me, and I shut my eyes wishing I had been stronger. "Pick her up!"

Two men stepped forward and gently helped me up to my feet. My body was stinging and aching in every place imaginable. My head was dizzy from being thrown around so much. When I was brought to a stand, I immediately tried to hold my head up. I didn't want Zuko to see he'd beat me emotionally.

Zuko was soaked from our fight, and I could tell I'd gotten a few hits on him which made me pleased. He'd done a number on me though, so there was no room to smile. He stepped over to me irate. His hands were steaming as he tried to hold in the fire he wanted to let out. "Take her to the cells! If I find out anyone has undone her restraints or let her out, I will personally see to it the one responsible is punished!"

"The cells? Are you sure sir?"

Zuko turned his head sharply toward the young guard questioning him. "You have a problem with that?"

The guard hung his head knowing it was best for him to keep his mouth shut.

I tried to catch my breath and finally found my voice. "The cells! Oh! I get it!" I was so outraged that I just wanted to keep speaking my mind. "You want me locked up so I don't get in your way! Are you scared of me, Zuko?"

The young prince was shocked by my outburst, but narrowed his eyes. "Get her out of my sight! And don't feed her until I say you can!" He stepped closer to me. "You thought I wasn't evil like my father… Well you're wrong! I'll show you what happens to those who oppose me."

"Prince Zuko! Get some sense in your head! This is Crystal, not some animal!" Iroh stepped forward, but Zuko ignored him. "You need to cool off nephew! You're about to do something you'll regret!"

"Enjoy some time alone," Zuko hissed to me, completely blocking out his uncle. "Maybe it will remind you of your position on this ship! Take her away!"

As the two guards regretfully dragged me back to the door to take me deep below, I shouted at the young prince who turned away, "I was wrong! You're no different from your father! All you care about is your stupid honor! I hope Aang gives you everything you deserve!" I struggled in my restraints again, while Iroh shouted at Zuko some more. Eventually the guards dragged me to the stairwell, and I was forced into the dark hole I had put myself in.